Government bureaucracy at it's finest. I was informed this morning by a TSA supervisor that their latest operating reg states that unless you are a crewmember actually operating the flight you are flying on, your uniform will mean nothing. You will have the same liquids ban, shoe removal, body scan, etc. as any other passenger. He was candid enough with me to state that the new TSA boss is not our friend. We lost Known Crewmember status and now this. As the TSA prepares to loosen some restrictions on passengers they are quietly segregating us out of any crewmember privileges. TSA knows FedEx and UPS pilots aren't operating any pax flight so we will be subject to the new rules 100%.

He advised that we put pressure on our pilot organization to lobby for a fix to this for two reasons. The new TSA boss is not a team player and this new ruling doesn't pass the reasonable man theory.

Just passing along the good news! He also said the new ruling is taking a while to roll out and isn't enforced at all airports but it is supposed to be. Just a matter of time.

 

How will they know if a crew is commuting or actually flying the trip that day? I'd just lie.

 

well, for FedEx/UPS guys, being in the passenger terminal would be a big hint.

 

Not necessarily. These TSA folks aren't the sharpest tools. I had one in Atlanta that didn't know FedEx even had airplanes. She didn't have an answer as to how a package got from LA to NYC overnight in a truck.

 

The airplane I bought in 2004 looks like a better and better investment every day. More non-pilot jumpers. TSA BS, etc etc. Reminds me of 1990s Prince Sultan TDYs, where the "support" team goes out of the way to make it miserable for the operators. It is always cheaper to come to work on someone else's dime, but I must say driving or flying in on your own puts me in a much better mood.

 

I feel safer now.

 

Look into TSA Pre-check. It doesn't work if you are jumpseating, but is great if you're deadheading. It costs $100 and is part of the Global Entry program. United paid for mine because of my frequent flier status, but having used it regularly now, I'd pay the fee on my own without a second thought.

 

Does this apply to KCM as well, I.e. if you're not working the flight you must clear security?

 

Mach,

What airport?

 

Where's my representation?!!!